Saturday 1 October 2011

A Confession, A Lover`s Tiff & A Full Blown Affair!

Pinch punch - it`s October and the September Sewathon has drawn to a close.


It doesn`t look like much, but this month I started and completed - 

6 community blocks
3 mug rugs and 2 fabric baskets for Cindy`s Goodie Swap 2011
the first block for The Blogger`s BOM QAL

I also started a baby quilt using Kumari Garden

and ordered way too much fabric...

I held a giveaway sponsored by The Intrepid Thread and Hadley was the lucky winner

I participated in The Goodie Swap 2011 and joined 2 new swap
Susan`s The Modern Christmas Tablerunner Swap and Kat`s Scrappy Swap 2011

and I am super proud that I participated in and finished my Across the Seas lap quilt

Across the Seas lap quilt
  and joined 3 new quiltalongs (QALs)

I said goodbye to an old friend and said hello to a new one...


I have a confession to get off my chest. Towards the end of August, I signed up for the Across the Seas Quiltalong with Jennifer and Sarah.  I had been following Jennifer for a little while when in August she made her `big announcement`.  I was thrilled to see it was a quiltalong (QAL) but I didn`t really get the Greek cross on which her and Sarah`s design was based. I wasn`t sure whether I should join.  Then I read some of the comments on the announcement post and saw that a good bloggy pal had already put her hand up.  I knew that I had to trust Jennifer on this one, I joined too and  that was the beginning of a big love affair.

I love this block and the scrappy border - they have a vintage feel to me
I made my blocks for the quilt using my huge FQ of Parisville after Lynne at Lily`s Quilts gave a tip off that a stack of all the Parisville colourways was on sale at the Fat Quarter Shop for something ridiculous like thirty odd dollars.  I love this fabric so so much - it`s eclectic and a little bit quirky but has deep rich colours and gorgeous design detail.

As I started making my blocks, I fell deeper and deeper in love with Jennifer and Sarah`s design and my fabric.  This was going to be a great QAL - everything was coming together beautifully until it came to the  time for my creative input.  The quilting.  We had a lover`s tiff. I acted badly and like all romantic fall-outs, I blamed my own inadequacies on the other person quilt. Everyone said to calm down (get over myself - no, no they are too sweet to say that) and put the binding on, wash it and admire its lovely crinklyness.  All would be well.

The binding is Opal from Heirloom by Joel Dewberry
Well of course they were right.  It`s finished and I`ve broken a personal record.  It has previously taken me anything from between 4 months and a year and a half to complete my previous two quilts but this one took just 6 weeks.

I love the bordered blocks designed by Sarah for the back
I am totally in love with it and it is my all time favourite quilt so far.  Looking at comments made by others who have completed their quilts, I am not alone in feeling this. The icing on the cake would have been to stipple quilt it but that wasn`t to be.  No biggie.  A huge shout out to the fabulous Jennifer and Sarah who gave such amazing support and such beautifully clear directions, directed us to great tutorials, and to the QALongers who made the experience such fun. Here`s to the next one and the sooner the better.

I think quilts look almost better folded up.
To celebrate this finish, I`m delighted to be linking up for the first time in 6 months with Fresh Sewing Day over at Lily`s Quilts, and thanks again to Lynne for the great Parisville shout out.


Fresh Sewing Day

26 comments:

Leanne said...

I love your Across the Sea quilt too! Thank you for sharing your quilt journey, I often have ups and downs with these projects. You had a wonderfully productive month, everything is lovely, especially the baskets.

Archie The Wonder Dog said...

Great post! I love your ATS quilt, it looks as though it will be lovely to snuggle under! Thanks for your comment on my blog - I couldn't reply as you're currently set to 'no reply'...

Toni said...

I'm so glad you've fallen back in love! It really does look beautiful, and I love the little story you've told! Great job!

Ellie said...

Phew, what a busy month you have had - but also a very productive one. Your Across the Sea quilt looks great - well done!!
Quilts always look really cosy when they are finished. I wonder what this month will hold for you.

Rebecca said...

It looks like lots! And I love your fabric choices!

Catherine said...

I know what you mean, I have never done a quilt so quickly! Yours looks fantastic and I am glad you're happy with it now that it's finished.
You have had a very busy September!

Rebecca Lynne said...

Oh I am so glad you are happy with your QAL quilt! I really wanted to join a QAL which is why I signed up...and I waffle between "mmm, it is nice" to "Oh, I do love it" with my ATS quilt. I am taking a break to really do something specific with the quilting and I am hoping that will be the clincher for me and push the quilt into Love Absolute! On the bright side? The Mr. ADORES this quilt so...not a loss at all no matter what I think! Ha! Thanks for being so honest and I love the way your quilt finished, beautiful wavy lines!

Heidi said...

WOW! I love reading your posts and your quilts are truly works of art. Can't wait to see what you do in the coming months!

Nicky said...

Great post and fantastic mosaic - love those rich colours you favour full of drama!

Sheila said...

What a lovely post - I am thrilled to say that 2 of those mosiac squares are now mine, mine, mine!

Mrs Flying Blind... said...

Told you so!!

The quilt looks stunning, and you had a brilliant month of other makes too!

Brilliant you xx

Katy Cameron said...

Doesn't look like much? Are you kidding?! Geez woman, that was a great month! And I love that quilt too :o)

Krista Schneider said...

wonderful post. I think the quilt looks amazing... in fact, I like that it's not stippled. This one has unique written all over it :D I too, love parisville. I actually live 15 miles from Tula Pink's mother's quilt shop. I met her when I went and she was totally awesome. Yay for your finish! :D

linda said...

looks great glad you like it now.............. it is gorgeous :))

www.randomthoughtsdoordi.com said...

I love all your creations this month and especially like the colors you have used. A beautiful mosaic of lovely gifts and treats.

Trudi said...

That's amight month of creativity! and all such beauties!

Janine @ Rainbow Hare said...

You've made so many beautiful things this month! I love your Across the Seas quilt :)

Canadian Abroad said...

Glad you are in love, because your quilt is beautiful.

Unknown said...

Hi Annabella

I love your cleverness, your honestly, your passions and the "threads" that go into making your fabrik of life.

Oh and I see I must have missed where your new "friend" arrived across the sea - the new Janome!

have a wonderful weekend

x


loulou

Sarah @ FairyFace Designs said...

I knew when you had it washed and crinkly you would love it!!! So glad you enjoyed the QAL (and thanks for all your lovely words I am kind of speechless!) and thanks for taking the plunge and jumping in, it's been so much fun :-) your quilt looks amazing, the fabrics are fab and it really really works!

Kleep said...

Everything is awesome, really, but I just wanted to say how much I love your little box/bag things. The prints, the style, I think they're great!

blandina said...

What a busy busy lady you are! The new photo is beautiful.

Cindy said...

Look at your spectacular mosaic! I love the rich, vivid colors you choose and the bold prints. The the things you make are lovely :)

Amanda said...

Doesn't look like much?!?! That collage proves how busy and creative you've been! It all looks so beautiful.

Debbie said...

oh, your Across the Sea quilt looks great! What a nice execution of a great pattern!

Kirsten said...

You have done so many lovely projects this month Annabella! Love the Parisville quilt especially.